Anyone who liked My Heart Is a Chainsaw will want to keep going with Don't Fear the Reaper. If you haven't read the first book of the trilogy, it's worth doing so (partly because it's great, and partly because you'll need that story to full appreciate this one, even if Reaper is mostly self-contained).

Reaper gets going much quicker than its predecessor (almost immediately, really), with some of the characterization more built into the action sequences. One of the joys of the book lies in catching up with the main characters four years later, noting how both they and their contexts have changed.

Jones continues to play with the tropes of the slasher genre, and this time around there's some slight deconstruction going on. Jade has tried to put some of these ideas behind her, which means we largely follow the story with a certain skepticism, rather than her wild faith-in-genre from the first book. It helps add suspense to the narrative while causing us to question the form of the whole system.

The book peaks with another wild finish, pulling together quite a few strands. It does have a clear ending, but knowing that Reaper is the second part of a trilogy means the denouement feels a little tentative even if it has emotional resonance. The book doesn't quite have the weight or impact of Chainsaw, but that probably speaks more to that book than to this one, which is another excellent piece of the story.

This sequel to My Heart is a Chainsaw is everything fans of the first book want: Jade, a serial killer, a traumatized cop, a massive snowstorm, and lots and lots and lots of gore. The story moves fast, the twists move faster, and the blood flows...well, you get it. Good for fans of horror, horror movies, and friendship.

Thank you @netgalley for the ARC of Don’t Fear The Reaped. This is the sequel to My Heart Is a Chainsaw. If you liked the first book, you will like the second. Jade is released from prison and there is a serial killer on the loose that escaped from prison. I find the writing to be a little scattered and hard to follow at times. However, the story is a good play on slasher movies. I do like how Jade actually has a head on her shoulder and makes reasonable decisions unlike the characters in these movies. The first third is a little slow with setting the scene and reviewing the back story, but the last third is fast paced and gripping.

Thanks to Gallery / Saga Press and NetGalley for the ARC.

It was only when I finished Stephen Graham Jones' sequel to 'My Heart is a Chainsaw,' 'Don't Fear the Reaper' that I realized how much I enjoyed it. I felt bereft.

The action happens about four years after the events of the first instalment in the trilogy and Jennifer Daniels, the 'Jade' of the first novel returns to the scene of the crimes with a once in a generation winter storm approaching.

Although the first section of the book proved a little more resistant to engagement than the first novel once it gets going it really gets going. Jones cleverly and skillfully weaves in main characters from the first book, brings more fringe characters front and center, and introduces brand new ones - including a new freakish slasher - while instead of engaging in a 'previously on' approach to it, all the time gracefully reminding us of what happened throughout the previous massacre.

As with the first book, I'd imagine if you're au fait with the slasher genre you'll especially enjoy it but as someone who's seen only the original 'Halloween' and 'Friday the 13th' it didn't hinder my enjoyment. As long as you understand that there are a series of slasher tropes/rules then that's all you need, the narrative does the rest.

Finally, a word about the author's afterword/acknowledgements, so genuine, insightful, and evocative it's as rewarding as the book itself.

Can't wait for the finale!

Review of uncorrected advance reader’s eBook proof

Four years have passed since the Lake Witch carnage; Jade . . . now Jennifer . . . Daniels has had her conviction overturned and is released from prison. With a wiser perspective, Jennifer is determined to remain free and so must stay out of trouble.

Jennifer returns to Proofrock, Idaho just as Indigenous serial killer Dark Mill South, seeking revenge, escapes during a prison transfer. A winter snowstorm complicates searches; it also brings down the phone lines.

It doesn’t take long for the bodies to begin to pile up.

=========

The veneration of the slasher film trope continues, first appearing in “My Heart is a Chainsaw” and now continuing in this compelling sequel. Pulling the reader into the telling of the tale from the outset, the gritty plot isn’t the least bit shy about bringing a significant amount of gore into the story. Chapters cleverly titled after horror films, keep the apprehension building while slasher trivia abounds.

With well-developed characters, a strong sense of place, and a firm foundation from “My Heart is a Chainsaw,” the gripping narrative is sure to keep readers on the edge of their seats. Along with the never-ending grit and gore [and some Proofrock history], a student is once again writing for a teacher, providing explanations; readers are offered multiple points of view as the unfolding narrative keeps the good folks of Proofrock struggling for their very survival.

The pace is relentless; the plot takes some surprising twists along the way to its satisfying denouement. Horror fans are sure to find much to appreciate in this intriguing yet reverential homage to the horror genre.

Highly recommended.

I received a free copy of this eBook from Gallery Books, Gallery/Saga Press and NetGalley
#DontFeartheReaper #NetGalley

I had read My Heart is a Chainsaw (from here on abbreviated to MHiaC) and I really liked it. First time I rated it 5 stars, eventually brought it down to 4 after more thinking. But overall I thought it was wonderfully written.

So when I was approved for ‘Don’t Fear the Reaper” I was both surprised and also scared that I wouldn’t like it as much. And for the first half the book I was a bit hesitant because I wasn’t sure where it was going. The thing is: Don’t Fear the Reaper, while distinctly a Stephen Graham Jones book, is different from MHiaC. This is a slasher story from the start whereas the first book in the series is slow burn. The slow burn here comes at the halfway point and revolves around the entire cast of characters instead of just Jade, like in the first novel. And that is where the main difference lies.

This is a story that hinges on a full gang of people. And that changes the motives, the reasons, the lines of where morals are for some characters. Everything that happens in ‘Don’t Fear the Reaper’ is because of someone’s choices. Whether that’s just or not. And that works incredibly well.

I loved seeing how different Jade is now while maintaining her core personality. She has grown a lot in the four years she’s been away and not only has she done some reflecting, she’s also taken steps to change her behavior that she realized she didn’t like. That was super valuable and important, because she was an unlikable character in the first book, and while that fit the story then, she desperately needed to have some growth in order for us to be able to root for her again. I was surprised by her but never in a way that felt unbelievable. It was seeing Jade become who we as an audience knew she could be.

I’m glad that SGJ continued Jade’s relationship with Hardy in the sequel. They had such a good dynamic in MHiaC and I enjoyed it just as much here. Their relationship was by far one of the most endearing aspects of the book.

I loved the subtle reference to the Scream movies by having Galatea act as the information spreader like Randy. And the references to “supernatural” slashers such as Jason and Michael in the character build of Dark Mill South. This being used throughout heightened the tension and raised the stakes


We also get some great call backs to Jade letters/essays to her teacher via the sections of the novel written be an “unknown” individual to the new history teacher at Proofrock. The amounts of hints, references and head nods felt balanced enough that they never felt to be “too much” and often worked as include information or rehash things we needed to know.

I love this way of sharing additional information that our main characters wouldn’t have access to or necessarily feel the need to talk about. It’s a clever way of sharing exposition without being boring or too on the nose

The juxtaposition of having this set in the middle of a snow storm compared to MHiaC is great as well. It sets a claustrophobic tension from the start. It gives the book the opportunity to avoid the trap of falling into the same premise of the first book. We have a group of main players who already believe and know there is a killer on the loose and who it most likely is, that also plays into the immediate tension and suspense.

The twists here were also full filing and entertaining. I think it’s easy to go “oh well that’s too cliche” but it worked for me.

I feel that if you enjoyed MHiaC you’ll love this addition to the series and if you didn’t care for the first novel, you may end up liking DFtR because of its differences in pacing, style and themes.

I am thrilled to have been the opportunity to read and review Don’t Fear the Reaper. I am a huge fan of Stephen Graham Jones. This was such a great sequel to My Heart is a Chainsaw. I don’t want to say too much about this book, I don’t want to give away any spoilers. If you like the first book you will like this one! If you are into slasher type films you will like this book!

I enjoyed the first book in this series but I had a hard time getting into this one. Enjoyed the writing but ultimately could not draw me in. I did finish it and I would recommend, just not for me. Thank you NetGalley for this ARC

This is billed as part two, or the sequel to My Heart Is A Chainsaw. Don’t all slasher books need a good sequel?

Set 4 years after Jade, (Jennifer) has been released from prison from the initial massacre, she’s back in Proofrock and amazingly there are enough people left to have a second massacre yet underway.

In my opinion, you don’t have to have read Chainsaw in order to enjoy and understand the happenings of Reaper, but you will do yourself a disservice by not getting all of the back story as well as all of the awesome slasher references and carnage.

This is a true horror fan treat, referencing all truly good horror movies from the 70s forward. If you’re a true horror fan, you will love the references and get the subtle nuances laid down in this killer, fast paced novel.

Being four years later, Jade (Jennifer) is no longer in high school, doesn’t believe and live every moment as a slasher flick, and has a new perspective on what’s happening in this quaint, murder filled town. Is this a good thing or a bad? Leaving your childhood perspective for that of an adult … you’ll have to be the judge of that.

I will also say the title of this novel had me hearing Blue Oyster Cult’s hit song of the same name like an ear worm, but the song has nothing to do with the book… unless you no longer fear slashers.

Stephen Graham Jones is the master of horror love affairs and once again knocks it out of the park with this one.

Highly recommended for people that love horror movies / books, thrillers, suspense novels, or anyone who just loves a fun and fast read. This was a 4/5 star read for me and surely one you won’t want to pass up on release day, Feb. 7, 2023.

A huge thank you to #NetGalley, the publisher and author for extending me an ARC in exchange for my honest opinions. My full review will be published on all my blogs and social media sites on release day.

Thanks to Gallery Books and Netgalley for the free e-book in exchange for an honest review!

This is not my usual genre, but I like Jones so much that I had to read it. He does a nice job explaining without over-explaining, in order to connect book #2 to book #1. It’s extremely gory, which anyone who read the first book should know to expect.

Jade serves 4 years in jail for the events that happened at the end of My Heart Is A Chainsaw and is released the same day a serial killer escapes near Proofrock. Almost two days later in the middle of a snowstorm with phone lines down, a trail of bodies is left behind. Jade reunites with Letha as they track down the murder and save the town. Slasher trivia is thrown in this time by both Jade and Letha. It has the same feel of the first book, horror mixed with history of the town and a few other familiar faces are back in Proofrock.

Every chapter title is the title of a horror movie, which was a great little, added touch. I don't want to say anything else that could come close to a spoiler, but if you liked the first one, you're going to love this.

The sequel to MY HEART IS A CHAINSAW is HERE!!!!

This is the sort of book you will enjoy, but enjoy 10000x more if you read book 1. It's definitely worth it since this book is labeled 2nd in a TRILOGY!

In Chainsaw, it was 2015 and Jade Daniels was a half-Native American poor 17 year old living in a small town with a very abusive father, her mom working at the local dollar store and pretending to not recognize her. Obsessed with serial killer movies and stories from the 80's she narrated the story of the Reaper arriving in Proofrock, home of Indian Lake. At the end of the story Jade is taken to jail in place of her father.

In Reaper, it's now 2019 and Jade is out of jail, with a promise to stay out of trouble. Unfortunately, Dark Mill South, a known serial killer is on a collision course with Idaho. Jade, now going by Jennifer, realizes there maybe more than one killer and a new final girl. But will anyone listen to her?

Stephen Graham Jones continues with the steady stream of consciousness narration, a certain rhythm that hypnotises you as he reels you in with references to famous slasher movies, all the while moving the murderous chess pieces around the board. As we circle closer and closer to an actual Friday the 13th it's anyone's guess who will still be alive to see a Final Girl.

If you like slasher movies, rhythmic and pulsing storytelling, or just can't wait to see what's happening at Indian Lake now, Grab Don't Fear the Reaper!
#Gallerybooks #Saga #SimonandSchuster

How is this book even better than the first?
It's everything a slasher sequel should be: A slightly broken heroine. Higher stakes. More guts and gore. Bigger and better death scenes.

Stephen Graham Jones loves slashers and makes the reader love them too.
Has he dethroned Brian Keene as my favorite horror writer. Why yes...I believe he has!

Thank to Simon & Schuster for the ARC in exchange for an honest review.
I'll be over here impatiently waiting for the third book!

A fantastic follow up to My Heart is a Chainsaw. The action picks right up and doesn't let go. Jones knows how to write a gory slasher book with some panache. A big reccomendation from me!

The followup to My Heart Is A Chainsaw sees heroine Jade viewing the slasher movie her life has become with a more mature and - well - jaded outlook. There's no doubt that Graham is a fantastic writer, and his blood-soaked world of small town Idaho feels painfully lived-in. These books are written for people who've loved horror and its most iconic slashers just as much as the protagonist, right down to narrative structure. Second book syndrome was not a problem here.

4.25 stars

Wow! This is a fantastic follow up to My Heart is a Chainsaw. I definitely got the slasher vibe a bit more in this one. There is no easing into this novel, it starts with a Bang and doesn’t really let up. Stephen Graham Jones is becoming a must read for me. I can’t wait for more.

Jones' Don't Fear the Reaper is not necessarily connected to Blue Oyster Cult's masterpiece of the same name, although Romeo and Juliet never experienced the bloody aftermath of ProofRock, the cute little town in the mountains by the lake. Don’t Fear the Reaper is the page-turning sequel to My Heart Is a Chainsaw and it is billed as part two of the trilogy, meaning that somehow there are enough living breathing souls left in the small mountain lake town to have one more bite at the apple. Maybe? Nevertheless, each one of these books in this trilogy is fairly self-contained and you may dare venture into Reaper without devouring the first of the series, although you are missing some background, some history, some massacres.

Reaper is Jones' second book in this love affair with horror movies and you had best familiarize yourself with the genre if you are going to get all the inside jokes. This one also stars Jade Daniels, now having returned to town after four years in custody, awaiting trial for the fiasco at the lake that was the previous book. Four years changes a lot. Dorothy, you are not in Kansas anymore, and you are not in high school. Those four years removed gives Jade perspective and she can function without necessarily the same kinds of relationships with people. That's good because she is doubtless going to loose a lot of these people in her battle with the slashers and serial killers.

After reading My Heart is a Chainsaw I was excited to be approved to read this book. It was really good but there is no easing in, it starts with a bang and doesn't let up. I for one love things like that but no it isn't for everyone.

This is the perfect time of year for books like this, but honestly I will read them at any time. I can't wait for the next book by this author.

Thanks to NetGalley for a copy in exchange for a review!
This book made me feel much better about my incessant need to read everything Steven Graham Jones writes.
I usually find it really annoying when books talk too much about what happened in the last book, but read the first installment of this trilogy right when it came out last year, so I had forgotten a lot of the plot points. A lot of the characters do come back a lot, whether it be just in discussion of their absence or that they actually survive the first book. So it was a little difficult for me to connect those just because of my own lapse in memory. But wow. Lots and lots of character development. Lots of connecting issues from the last book, to this one. Lots of gore, so much more. Good read.

Stephen Graham Jones is one of the best writers working today, regardless of genre. His unique voice forces you to slow down, read every word, and then you're there with the characters, facing all manner of horrors. It's an experience that causes a physical response: you'll hold your breath, squirm in your seat, wince and cringe. And, in the end, you'll have that story superglued into your brain. It lives there now.

<i>My Heart is a Chainsaw</i> is easily in my top 5 favorite novels of the 21st century. I was downright giddy to learn we'll get to revisit Proofrock in February of 2023. Then I got an ARC from NetGalley for <i>Don't Fear the Reaper</i> and I'm surprised I didn't spontaneously combust with excitement. Everything else took a backseat. Who needs to eat, work, or sleep? Jade Daniels is back!!!

It's been four years since the Lake Witch Slayings and Jade has spent most of them in courtrooms and various goverment institutions. Mostly cleared of wrongdoing, she's returned to Proofrock and goes by Jennifer now. Slashers are no longer her thing. She's ditched the eyeliner. Her hair has grown and is its natural color. She just wants a normal existence... annnnnnnd then bodies start dropping all over town, brutally murdered in ways that resemble Horrorwood's greatest hits. Annnnnd a serial killer with a freakin' HOOK FOR A HAND has escaped police custody and is definitely in town. Oh, and, btw, a snowstorm has knocked out the power and cell service all over town, effectively cutting off Proofrock from the rest of the world. It's a recipe for chaos and Jade is in the middle of it all, whether she likes it or not.

Just when you think you've figured out where things are going, Jones throws a bag over your head, spins you around 50 times and leaves you in the dark. And, once you finally find your way to the end, yeah, there are some loose ends that need tying, questions that definitely need answering. But, strangely, the end is also pretty satisfying.

<i>Dont Fear the Reaper</i> does a beautiful job of both continuing the Indian Lake story and setting the stage for the third act. And I predict the next one will blow us all away.

The writing in this one was a bit harder to keep up with, which I realize was a deliberate choice on the part of the author. This title will appeal to fans of slasher movies for sure, and has some really cool parts and kills, but I think it needed to be clearer who killed who. The frenetic pacing made it harder to to parse who slashed who.